Do Islanders say no: Cal Clutterbuck to Colorado for two pieces
Colorado has already seemingly checked in on New York Islanders fourth-liner Cal Clutterbuck. Their GM was reported to be at an Islanders game to scope out the right-winger.
As we get closer to the trade deadline I've started a series of posts that looks at trade packages for Islanders players using Cap Friendly's Armchair GM feature. The first one that I did looked at a trade that sent Scott Mayfield to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(The point of these posts are to see how people outside of the Islanders fan base value players that are on the trade block.)
This posts will focus on a trade that sends Clutterbuck to Colorado for two pieces.
New York Islanders: Clutterbuck for two pieces, do they say no?
So we already know that Colorado is interested in Clutterbuck, but how much are they willing to part for the pending UFA? Well, according to this Armchair GM a 2023 3rd round pick and former first-round pick Shane Bowers. Keep in mind that the Islanders hold 50% of Cluttebuck's contract in this deal.
Do the Islanders say no to this package?
Shane Bowers is the standout asset of this return for the Islanders. Again, he's a former first-round pick. Selected 28th overall in 2017 by the Avalanche. We know the Islanders pipeline isn't particularly strong and could use some reinforcement, specifically down the middle.
Bowers is a speedy and hard-working center currently playing in the AHL for the Colorado Eagles. His production won't wow you. In 23 games he has two goals and five points on the year. He had nine points in 28 games last year. Again, that's not going to wow you.
But Bowers projects to be a good bottom-six option at the NHL level. He's a strong skater with a pretty solid hockey IQ. The production we're seeing at the AHL level isn't great but that doesn't mean he can't be a solid fourth-line player.
Something that could be useful for the Islanders soon enough. I like Bowers and I think he'd be a good addition to the Islanders prospect pool.
A third-round pick a year out would be fine if the Islanders weren't holding 50% of the Clutterbuck deal in this trade. So as this trade is constructed the Islanders probably say no unless they get a third-round pick in this year's draft.